street photography

I saw this woman from the other side of the pavement and almost ran to not miss her. Don’t know why, often it is colours that attract your attention, but this time I was attracted by this sort of kindness she was radiating all around. And when I approached her to take a portrait, I knew I was not mistaken. She was very shy, like a fairy, I had the feeling that the moment I got to spend with her will be over soon. And yet we could chat for a moment allowing me to learn that she was French living partially in the US with her husband. She did not even hesitate to compliment me and my project… I left that place with some kind of inside satisfaction.

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How many times did you have the chance to be invited to a newly opened Chinese gallery with a personalised guided tour? Try to start photographing 100 strangers and maybe you will! I bumbed into this girl in the street of the 6th arrondissement of Paris, asked her to have a picture and then I saw myself going through this 5 stairs gallery of intresting (unfortunately for me unknown) objects. She even nicely informed me that they also have ‘cheaper’ stuff for less than 5000€ … ;-)

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Walking around Pigalle, her boyfriend was taking a photo of her with her new blond wig. Why did she have a wig? I have no clue, but it fits her well! So I took advantage to take a few pics of both of them. I hope I gave a nice Parisian souvenir to these two Londoners!

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When you go to the supermarket, you often just buy your food as fast as possible without really talking to someone (at least I do, because I really don’t like spending my time in a supermarket!). But the other day, I stopped for a while with Kone, an employee of a small supermarket in Paris 6. He was smoking, enjoying his work break and watching people buzzing around. A liked that scene and asked him if I can take the picture. He was suprised, but agreed without hesitating. And we both agreed – such a pity people do not talk to each other very often!

When I take pictures of strangers in the streets, I often ask them if they wish me to send them the photo I will place on my blog. They are in general happy about this and give me their e-mail address.

This old man sitting on a bench in a park made me think though. After his first (and normal) reaction “Are you going to sell the photo?” and after ensuring him that no way, that I would only use for my personal reasons and place it on my blog, he allowed me to make a few shots. He simply continued to play the harmonica and offered me the opportunity to take the natural photo without any posing.

His response to my usual question then was: “I do not have an e-mail address, I can only give you my postal address, can you send me the photo via regular post?”

Well of course I can! It will be my pleasure to develop it and use the traditional way to send it. Actually, it will be much more personal than sending via e-mail … He did not believe I would do it, but I will!

“You know if you say in Brazil that you cooked in France, you are just hired. French kitchen is delicious, something really amazing. But the damn French language is so hard!” Partly in French, partly in English, we were chatting about the different cultures, the beauty of life in Brazil and in Paris, about the best Brazilian city to party reminding European Ibiza. What was the name again? I really must visit it one day!

One beer later, I just had to go, but I spent a nice half an hour with these guys thanks to my 100 Inconnus project.

Maybe! But it looks so nice on photos. On my recent walks I took two “pink” photos, a lovely little girl and a beautiful Marocain woman.

The girl was just sitting there with her sister and staring at me when playing with her bubble bottle. I smiled at her father sitting next to her and I knew I had the permission to take the first picture of my “inconnu child” ! And it felt great, the bubble girl just made bubbles again and again giving me the great opportunity to take this lovely photo below.

13. The bubble girl (Buttes Chaumont)

And then this beautiful woman with her kind smile, pretty eyes and pink head scarf. You just need to love her! And you would definitely love her food – the coucous was delicious!

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I am quite an ordinary person. Natural hair, not much of make-up, ordinary clothes… Honestly, if I saw me in the street, I would not take a photo of myself!

Maybe for this reason I admire people who dare to be different, who developed thair specific style. And of course, I love to take photos of them – see the great style of the man below who bacame the 12th inconnu in my gallery!

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What surprises can you have when taking people in the street? A lot! The proof is the admirable woman below – a very nice person living since 27 years half in Paris, half in NewYork, a charming, smiling, easy-going clothing designer. When I ask her if she wants me to send her the pictures, she proposes to give me her business card. And only when I check her website, I can see that she dressed more that a few Hollywood stars…

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For me a lot! A colourful photo is magical, full of life, energy and joy. If you add a beautiful smile and friendly attitude, you have the woman that I recently met at the Marché des enfants rouges. She runs a restaurant at the market and the food looked just delicious! I promise that I will come back to taste one of your cocktails :-)